CVE-2021-29505: XStream is vulnerable to a Remote Command Execution attack
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Plan (action score 58/100)
- A ready-made attack module is public (Nuclei); exploiting it takes no special expertise.
- Public proof-of-concept code exists (GitHub); there is no record of exploitation in the wild.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 77.2% (FIRST EPSS); higher than 99.5% of all records.
- Anyone who can reach it over the internet can trigger it. A low-privileged account is enough. No user action is required. No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
- Fixed version: x-stream xstream 1.4.17.
- Mentioned 3 times in Turkish national cyber security advisories (siberguvenlik.gov.tr).
Add it to your regular patch cycle. Upgrade to x-stream xstream 1.4.17 or later.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · FIRST EPSS
XStream is software for serializing Java objects to XML and back again. A vulnerability in XStream versions prior to 1.4.17 may allow a remote attacker has sufficient rights to execute commands of the host only by manipulating the processed input stream. No user who followed the recommendation to setup XStream's security framework with a whitelist limited to the minimal required types is affected. The vulnerability is patched in version 1.4.17.
- Published
- May 28, 2021
- Updated
- Oct 7, 2026
- EPSS
- 77.2% · 99th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-94
Report tools
Action score
58
Add it to your regular patch cycle.
- CVSS
- 35 / 40 · 8.8 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 23 / 30 · 77.2%
CISA SSVC decision
- Exploitation
- none
- Automatable
- no
- Technical impact
- total
Vulnrichment: CISA's decision-tree inputs.
CNA vs NVD score
- NVD
- 8.8
- CNA · GitHub_M
- 7.5
- 1.3 point gap
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
The score given by the assigning authority versus NVD’s independent score. A gap means the severity is contested.
Get told when this record changes
- Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
- Proof of concept exists, no weaponized module
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
Is your version affected? Check itNoroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| xstream | xstream | cpe:2.3:a:xstream:xstream |
| debian | debian linux | cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux |
| fedoraproject | fedora | cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora |
| netapp | snapmanager | cpe:2.3:a:netapp:snapmanager |
| oracle | banking cash management | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:banking_cash_management |
| oracle | banking corporate lending process management | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:banking_corporate_lending_process_management |
| oracle | banking credit facilities process management | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:banking_credit_facilities_process_management |
| oracle | banking supply chain finance | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:banking_supply_chain_finance |
| oracle | banking trade finance process management | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:banking_trade_finance_process_management |
| oracle | business activity monitoring | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:business_activity_monitoring |
| oracle | communications brm - elastic charging engine | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_brm_-_elastic_charging_engine |
| oracle | communications unified inventory management | cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_unified_inventory_management |
and 5 more
Versions reported by the vendor
Affected version ranges reported by the assigning authority (GitHub_M). Independent of NVD's CPE analysis and usually ahead of it.
x-stream xstream
- < 1.4.17affected
Affected versions · NVD (20)
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- debian debian linux10.0
- debian debian linux11.0
- debian debian linux9.0
- fedoraproject fedora33
- fedoraproject fedora34
- fedoraproject fedora35
- netapp snapmanagerall versions
- oracle banking cash management14.2
- oracle banking cash management14.3
- oracle banking cash management14.5
- oracle banking corporate lending process management14.2.0
- oracle banking corporate lending process management14.3.0
- oracle banking corporate lending process management14.5.0
- oracle banking credit facilities process management14.2.0
- oracle banking credit facilities process management14.3.0
- oracle banking credit facilities process management14.5.0
- oracle banking supply chain finance14.2.0
- oracle banking trade finance process management14.5.0
- oracle business activity monitoring11.1.1.9.0
- oracle business activity monitoring12.2.1.3.0
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | libxstream-java | before 1.4.15-3 | 1.4.15-3 |
| Debian:9 | libxstream-java | before 1.4.11.1-1+deb9u3 | 1.4.11.1-1+deb9u3 |
| Maven | com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream | before 1.4.17 | 1.4.17 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.2 | xstream | before 1.4.17-lp152.2.9.1 | 1.4.17-lp152.2.9.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.3 | xstream | before 1.4.17-3.11.2 | 1.4.17-3.11.2 |
| openSUSE:Tumbleweed | xstream | before 1.4.18-1.1 | 1.4.18-1.1 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client | xstream | before 0:1.3.1-14.el7_9 | 0:1.3.1-14.el7_9 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client | xstream-javadoc | before 0:1.3.1-14.el7_9 | 0:1.3.1-14.el7_9 |
| SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP2 | xstream | before 1.4.17-3.11.2 | 1.4.17-3.11.2 |
Same product
xstream: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2021-39144XStream is vulnerable to a Remote Command Execution attackKEV93Now
- CVE-2019-10173It was found that xstream API version 1.4.10 before 1.4.11 introduced a regression for a previous deserialization flaw.68This week
- CVE-2013-7285Xstream API versions up to 1.4.6 and version 1.4.10, if the security framework has not been initialized, may allow a remote attacker to run…64This week
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2021-21350Mar 23, 2021 · XStream is vulnerable to an Arbitrary Code Execution attack44Plan
- ← EarlierCVE-2021-21351Mar 23, 2021 · XStream is vulnerable to an Arbitrary Code Execution attack61This week
- Later →CVE-2021-39139Aug 23, 2021 · XStream is vulnerable to an Arbitrary Code Execution attack36Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| x-stream xstream | 1.4.17 · description | Vendor (CNA) |
| debian:libxstream-java | 1.4.15-3 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
| Maven:com.thoughtworks.xstream:xstream | 1.4.17 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:xstream | 1.4.17-lp152.2.9.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.2 | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:xstream | 0:1.3.1-14.el7_9 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:xstream-javadoc | 0:1.3.1-14.el7_9 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:xstream | 1.4.17-3.11.2 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP2 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
Proof of concept available
A public proof of concept or detection signature exists. Exploit knowledge is out there; don't delay patching.
Evidence
- Nuclei detection template ×1
- Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub ×2
Noroxi does not host or link to exploit code. Metasploit module names and Nuclei template ids are shown (names, not code); Exploit-DB entries and PoC repositories are given as counts only.
| Source | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei detection template | Nuclei template CVE-2021-29505 | — |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:6 | 2021-06-08 |
| Proof-of-concept repository on GitHub | stars:0 | 2025-07-11 |
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
- Published
- First PoC+10 d
- TodayNov 12, 2026+1994 d
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
National notice (Türkiye Cybersecurity Directorate / USOM)
Official security notices citing this record; remediation advice is on the agency's page.
- TR-22-0143 · Feb 15, 2022(RedHat Güvenlik Güncellemesi)
- TR-21-0989 · Dec 13, 2021(IBM Güvenlik Bildirimi)
- TR-21-0575 · Jul 13, 2021(RedHat Güvenlik Güncellemesi Yayınladı)
Not on record for this CVE: EPSS history · researcher credit · variant or chain candidate · public bounty program.
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Anyone who can reach it over the internet can trigger it.
- A low-privileged account is enough.
- No user action is required.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- high · data can be read
- Integrity
- high · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- high · the service can be disrupted
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-94 · Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
Change log (2)
- SSVC exploitation— → none
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (19 more)Show less
- github.com/x-stream/xstream/commit/f0c4a8d861b68ffc3119cfbbbd632deee624e227
- github.com/x-stream/xstream/security/advisories/GHSA-7chv-rrw6-w6fc
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r8ee51debf7fd184b6a6b020dc31df25118b0aa612885f12fbe77f04f@%3Cdev.jmeter.apache.org%3E
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/07/msg00004.html
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/22KVR6B5IZP3BGQ3HPWIO2FWWCKT3DHP
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/PVPHZA7VW2RRSDCOIPP2W6O5ND254TU7
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/QGXIU3YDPG6OGTDHMBLAFN7BPBERXREB
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210708-0007
- www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-5004
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html
- www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
- x-stream.github.io/CVE-2021-29505.html
- lists.apache.org/thread.html/r8ee51debf7fd184b6a6b020dc31df25118b0aa612885f12fbe77f04f%40%3Cdev.jmeter.apache.org%3E
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/22KVR6B5IZP3BGQ3HPWIO2FWWCKT3DHP/
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/PVPHZA7VW2RRSDCOIPP2W6O5ND254TU7/
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/QGXIU3YDPG6OGTDHMBLAFN7BPBERXREB/
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210708-0007/
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.